Ellie Nesler, RIP

While the person she murdered probably didn't deserve much better, how about her son? She saved Willie from an excruciating couple of hours on the witness stand, but at the cost of spending several of his formative years without his mother, his father already having abandoned them. The boy may have been a lost cause to begin with. Even before the act in question, he was being raised by a single, drug-abusing ex-felon, and he almost certainly was a victim of sexual abuse. But of course, the article you link notes that William Nesler is himself now a convicted murderer. I can't help but wonder where he learned that such actions were the right way to settle scores. Bloodlust aside, do you really think her actions did anyone any good? Failing to honor the rule of law or the value of human life has consequences beyond the immediate act.

I read the linked article - looks like a whole mess of folks there who weren't guided by rational self interest.

Toro, from what little I know about the case, the evidence was pretty strong that the victim was a serial child rapist. I think the rest of my comment makes clear that I don't condone Nesler's disregard for the rule of law or the sancity of all human life, but I feel worse about the collateral damage of her act than I do for her victim. But I generally agree with you about the case, and agree that Ellie Nesler, may she rest in peace, wasn't remotely admirable.

For all of you who have sympathy for Willie Nesler despite his crime, remember that there's a very good chance that Nesler's victimizer was also abused as a kid. That doesn't excuse the crime. He may very well belong in prison. But if you are willing to humanize a murderer because you know his past, consider showing the same sympathy for the person whose past isn't the subject of a newspaper article.

This case is an example of the sometimes non-existent line between victim and offender. I see way too many cases where defendants started out as victims. As victims, they don't get the help they need, so they lash out in stupid, dangerous ways. And yes, they sometimes become the person who victimized them.

The next time you hear someone complain that a murder defendant is "blaming a bad childhood" for his crime, remember Willie Nesler.